Ball-tampering scandal: Australian Cricketers' Association bats for Smith, Warner
The Australian Cricketers' Association (ACA) has come to rescue of the main perpetrators of the ball tampering scandal. Australian captain Steven Smith and vice-captain David Warner were banned for 12 months, whereas, batsman Cameron Bancroft was suspended for nine months for their role in the premeditated cheating against South Africa. The ACA has argued that that punishment is "disproportionate".
Australian Cricketers' Association wants their bans reduced
The Australian Cricketers' Association wants the ban on the tainted trio to be reduced. ACA president Greg Dyer said "justice which is rushed can sometimes be very flawed" with reference to the punishment handed out to the cricketers by Cricket Australia. Dyer believes that Cricket Australia rushed into awarding out the sanctions.
ACA claims punishment too harsh
Dyer has urged Cricket Australia for a relaxation of the ban. It also wants the trio to be allowed to return to domestic cricket. Australian Cricketers' Association further stated that it had studied a dozen or so previous cases and the most severe punishment in any of them was a ban for two one-day internationals.
ACA urges Cricket Australia to review suspensions
Dyer stressed that the sanctions were disproportionate relative to precedent and pointed out the ICC sanction had just suspended Smith for a Test and docked him his match fee after he pleaded guilty. Keeping the 2019 World Cup in mind, Dyer wants Cricket Australia to let the trio play domestic cricket so that they could be in contention for selection.
Will the trio accept the bans or appeal against it?
The tainted trio have until Thursday to inform Cricket Australia if they would accept their sanctions or will opt for a hearing, which is their basic right.
